Suspect in near-fatal stabbing on CT transit bus arrested in New York
A man suspected in a near-fatal stabbing on a CT Transit bus in November was located in New York and arrested, police said.
On Nov. 20 just before 1:30 p.m., patrol officers in Stamford responded to a bus stop in front of 1930 W. Main St. on a report of a man who was stabbed in the chest on a CT Transit bus, according to the Stamford Police Department.
Witnesses told police the CT Transit bus stopped at the bus stop and a male suspect got on the bus and started an argument with the victim. The argument reportedly turned physical, and the suspect allegedly pulled out an unknown object from his coat pocket and stabbed the victim in the chest, police said.
According to police, the suspect immediately fled the scene.
The victim, a 25-year-old man, was treated by Stamford EMS and brought to Stamford Hospital where he underwent emergency surgery, police said. He spent several days in the intensive care unit and is still recovering from his injuries, according to police.
Following an investigation by the Stamford Police Major Crimes Unit, the suspect was identified as 29-year-old Olajuwon Raheem Clarke. Police said Clarke, who is homeless, is known to investigators from prior incidents.
An arrest warrant for Clarke was granted by Stamford Superior Court. On Dec. 5, Clark was arrested in Brooklyn, New York, and was held in Rikers Island as a fugitive from justice, according to Stamford police.
On Dec. 19, Clark was turned over to Stamford investigators and brought back to Connecticut where he was charged with first-degree assault, breach of peace and possession of a dangerous instrument, police said. He is currently in the custody of the Stamford Police Department and is being held in lieu of a $250,000 bond.
“The Stamford Police Department would like to commend the Stamford EMS and Stamford Hospital staff whose rapid and specialized care undoubtedly saved this victim’s life,” Stamford Captain Thomas Scanlon said in a release on Wednesday.